CPJ Journalist Security Blog

Malawi

From Cape Town to Lilongwe, four photographers on routine
news assignments in major southern Africa cities were assaulted by security
officials in the past two weeks. The details differ, but the heavy-handed
actions in each case reflect a belief among those responsible for security that
they are above the law and not publicly accountable. These recent attacks in
southern Africa also highlight a wider phenomenon: Every day, somewhere in the
world, news photographers are subjected to physical abuse by security and
public officials who wish to suppress or control the powerful message delivered
by images.